Is Aritzia fast fashion?

Aritzia positions itself as an "everyday luxury" brand, but its business model shares some characteristics with fast fashion retailers. Despite the higher price point and quality claims, the company produces new styles at a relatively quick pace, though not as rapidly as ultra-fast fashion brands like Zara, H&M, and Shein.

Pricing structure

Aritzia employs a mid-to-high pricing strategy that positions it above typical fast fashion retailers but below luxury brands. Their pricing creates an accessible luxury perception, with basic t-shirts starting around $40-60, while coats and jackets can exceed $300-500. This "affordable luxury" approach allows them to maintain higher profit margins than traditional fast fashion while still appealing to trend-conscious consumers willing to pay more for perceived quality.

Supply chain and manufacturing

Aritzia manufactures products in countries including China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Peru. Though they have a published Supplier Code of Conduct, they provide limited transparency about factory conditions and living wage practices. Unlike true slow fashion brands, they haven't achieved full supply chain transparency or third-party certifications for ethical manufacturing across their entire production network, making it difficult to verify living wage commitments throughout their global supply chain.

Materials and sustainability

Aritzia's material choices reflect their middle-market positioning. They use some higher-quality fabrics like merino wool, cashmere, and Japanese technical fabrics alongside more conventional materials. Their in-house brands like Wilfred and Babaton emphasize natural fibers more than typical fast fashion brands.

However, they still use significant synthetic materials and haven't fully committed to recycled or organic alternatives at scale. Aritzia's sustainability initiatives include some recycled polyester usage and better packaging, but they lack comprehensive sustainability reporting or circular economy commitments.

Product lifecycle and turnover

Aritzia releases new styles throughout the year, maintaining core staples while introducing seasonal pieces. Their turnover is faster than slow fashion but slower than ultra-fast fashion. They typically introduce new collections every 1-2 months rather than weekly, focusing on "micro-seasonal" releases that keep customers returning while maintaining some product longevity.

In essence, Aritzia occupies a middle ground in the fashion industry. While it isn't fast fashion, it isn't truly slow or sustainable fashion either.

What is fast fashion?

Fast fashion refers to a business model in the clothing industry characterized by rapid production of inexpensive clothing that responds quickly to the latest trends. This approach prioritizes speed and affordability over durability and sustainability, allowing consumers to frequently update their wardrobes at low costs.

The fast fashion industry has transformed how clothing is produced, marketed, and consumed globally. What once operated on a seasonal collection schedule has evolved into a near-constant production cycle, with some retailers introducing new styles weekly or even daily.

Characteristics that define fast fashion include:

• Rapid design-to-retail cycle (as little as 2-3 weeks)
• Low production costs and low prices for consumers
• High-volume manufacturing
• Trend-driven designs rather than timeless styles
• Limited durability (garments often designed to last 10 wears or less)
• Prioritization of profit over ethics

Common fast fashion retailers

The following brands are considered fast fashion companies:

1. Ultra-fast fashion
   • Shein
   • Fashion Nova
   • Boohoo
   • Pretty Little Thing

1. Traditional fast fashion
   • H&M
   • Zara
   • Forever 21
   • Primark
   • Uniqlo

These companies have mastered quick-response manufacturing and distributing trendy clothing at accessible price points, though often at significant environmental and social costs.

Frequently asked questions

Is Aritzia considered a luxury brand?

No, Aritzia is not considered a true luxury brand. It positions itself in the "everyday luxury" or "accessible luxury" category, offering higher quality than fast fashion but at more accessible prices than traditional luxury brands. Its price point, manufacturing practices, and brand positioning place it in the contemporary or premium category rather than luxury.

Does Aritzia use ethical labour?

Aritzia has a Supplier Code of Conduct that outlines labor standards for its manufacturing partners, but transparency remains limited. The company does not provide comprehensive reporting on worker conditions, wages, or third-party audits across its entire supply chain. While they likely maintain better labor standards than ultra-fast fashion brands, they fall short of the rigorous ethical labor practices and transparency demonstrated by truly ethical clothing companies.

Are Aritzia clothes made in Canada?

While Aritzia is a Canadian company founded in Vancouver, the majority of its clothing is not made in Canada. Aritzia manufactures its products in various countries including China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Peru, and others. Some limited production may occur in Canada, particularly for certain premium lines or special collections, but this represents a small percentage of their overall manufacturing.

Which brands are the most sustainable?

Several Canadian brands offer alternatives to fast fashion with stronger environmental and fair labour practices. Here are some commendable brands to consider:

1. B Corp certified companies
   • Kotn
   • Encircled
   • The Hernest Project
2. Small-batch local producers
   • HUM apparel
   • Rowantree Clothing
   • Genskee Apparel
3. Innovative material users
   • The Hemp Spot
   • Vessi
   • Jack59
4. Circular economy participants
   • Pea Shoots Consignment
   • Fusion By Design
   • LAB Luxury Resale

While no brand is perfect, these companies appear to be making efforts toward more sustainable practices through approaches like local production, ethical sourcing, waste reduction strategies, and greater supply chain transparency.